The President was speaking on Wednesday at Mulanje Mission ground during the launch of MAREP phase 8.  In his speech, President Mutharika said MAREP is part of the bigger development agenda of the country hence his commitment in advancing the energy sector.

“Our goal is to take development to the people everywhere in Malawi. I want to see every community centre with electricity in this country. Every district in this country will now have more access to electricity than ever before. That is why under this phase of MAREP, every district has at least three trading centres to receive electricity," he said.

The President pointed out that for the past 50 years, Malawi has not made the necessary investments in the energy sector; however his government is determined to turn that around.

“In the last two years, we have done more than what we did in fifty years," he noted.

Malawi’s installed power supply is pegged at around 351 megawatts in normal circumstances, while demand is at 360 megawatts.

MAREP is aimed at increasing access to electricity for rural and peri-urban communities in the country in a bid to transform rural economies.  

The Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Hon. Bright Msaka SC and other officials were also present at the launch.

At a point in time before his official address the President dazzled the crowd with a Lomwe song he said he used to sing at the primary school were the function was held.